Todd Blanche Faces Uncertain Confirmation As Attorney General
Acting United States Attorney General Todd Blanche is facing growing uncertainty over his nomination to become the country's next permanent Attorney General after two influential Republican senators declined to commit their support ahead of a crucial Senate Judiciary Committee vote.
Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina have both indicated they remain unconvinced by Blanche's assurances regarding the future of the controversial Anti-Weaponization Fund, a proposed compensation programme announced by President Donald Trump earlier this year.
The fund formed part of a settlement between President Trump and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after the unauthorised disclosure of Trump's tax information. Critics from both parties raised concerns that taxpayer money could be used inappropriately and questioned provisions that appeared to restrict future IRS audits involving Trump and his businesses.
During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Blanche testified under oath that the Anti-Weaponization Fund was effectively "dead" and that any audit protections would not extend beyond the original settlement. However, Cornyn said he now wants those commitments confirmed in writing before deciding whether to support the nomination.
Speaking to reporters, Cornyn said Blanche had already made the commitments during sworn testimony and questioned why the administration had not yet formally amended the agreement to reflect those statements. Tillis has also requested additional documentation before confirming his position on the nomination.
Blanche, who previously served as one of President Trump's personal defence attorneys before joining the Justice Department, has been serving as Acting Attorney General since April following the dismissal of former Attorney General Pam Bondi. His confirmation is viewed as a key priority for the Trump administration.
The nomination has also attracted criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who argue Blanche's close relationship with President Trump raises questions about the Justice Department's independence. Meanwhile, some advocacy groups and crime victims' organisations have urged Republican senators to reject his confirmation.
With Republicans holding only a narrow majority on the committee, the votes of Cornyn and Tillis could prove decisive in determining whether Blanche's nomination advances to the full Senate. The Judiciary Committee is expected to consider the nomination later this week.
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